pośpiech
/ˈpɔ.ɕpjɛx/
The English phrase 'hurry' in Polish is pośpiech.
In Polish, the word for 'hurry' depends on whether you are referring to the noun (haste/hurry) or the action of hurrying. The noun pośpiech describes the state of haste or a rushed action. For the actual action of hurrying, the verb śpieszyć się is used.
Meaning: to do things quickly (verb)
Which one should you use?
pośpiech is a noun used to describe the concept of hurry or haste, while śpieszyć się is the verb used to describe the act of hurrying itself. Additionally, nagłość and pilność can be used to express different nuances of urgency.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the state of being 'in a hurry', use the preposition w followed by the noun in the locative case: w pośpiechu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpɔ.ɕpjɛx/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake the noun pośpiech (haste) for the verb 'to hurry'. To express the action of hurrying, you should use the verb śpieszyć się.
Did you know?
- To tell someone to 'hurry up' in a way that implies they are lagging behind, Poles use the phrase poganiać, which is the same root used for herding livestock.
- While śpieszyć się is the standard verb for 'to hurry', the colloquial lecieć (literally 'to fly') is frequently used when someone is hurrying to a specific destination.
- Poles often use the proverb pośpiech jest złym doradcą, which means 'haste is a bad advisor'. It is the equivalent of the English phrase 'haste makes waste'.
Examples in context
- Jesteś dzisiaj w pośpiechu?Are you in a hurry today?This sentence shows how to ask if someone is in a state of hurry using pośpiech.Tatoeba #13627014 by majabezjaja, translation #11932545 by CK
- W pośpiechu zbiegła po schodach.She went down the stairs in a hurry.This sentence demonstrates the phrase 'in a hurry' using pośpiech.Tatoeba #11492509 by jezykiija, translation #312969 by CK
- Tom wydaje się być zawsze w pośpiechu.Tom seems to be in a hurry all the time.This sentence shows how to describe someone who is always in a state of hurry using pośpiech.Tatoeba #9684381 by aurchykr, translation #7731938 by CK
- Przepraszam, ale muszę się pośpieszać, mam ważne zobowiązania.I'm sorry, but I need to hurry, I have important obligations.
- Pędź do sklepu, bo zamykają za pięć minut!Hurry to the store because they're closing in five minutes!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Katarzyna are leaving the house for a movie.
- PiotrDlaczego jesteś w takim pośpiechu?Why are you in such a hurry?
- KatarzynaSpóźnimy się na początek filmu.We will be late for the start of the movie.
- PiotrNie rób nic w pośpiechu, Piotr.Don't do anything in a hurry, Piotr.
- KatarzynaDobrze, ale musimy już iść.Alright, but we have to go now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pośpiech, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
